Molar pregnancy, also known as gestational trophoblastic disease, is a rare pregnancy complication characterized by the abnormal growth of trophoblasts, the cells that normally develop into the placenta. This condition can be classified into two main types: complete molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy.
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Complete Molar Pregnancy: This occurs when an egg with no genetic material is fertilized by sperm, leading to the growth of abnormal tissue rather than a normal embryo. In complete molar pregnancies, there is no viable fetal tissue present, and the placenta develops into a mass of cysts that can rapidly grow and lead to complications.
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Partial Molar Pregnancy: In this case, an egg is fertilized by two sperm or one sperm that duplicates its genetic material. This results in a mix of abnormal placental tissue and some fetal tissue, though the fetus is usually not viable and has significant abnormalities.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Common symptoms of a molar pregnancy include vaginal bleeding, severe nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum), and an unusually high level of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Ultrasound is a key diagnostic tool, often revealing a "snowstorm" appearance of the placenta in cases of complete molar pregnancy.
Treatment and Prognosis
Treatment typically involves the removal of the molar tissue through suction curettage. Following this, monitoring of hCG levels is essential to ensure that all abnormal cells have been eliminated and to check for any potential development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, a rare but serious complication that can occur if molar tissue remains.
The prognosis for individuals who experience a molar pregnancy is generally good, with many people able to conceive successfully in the future. However, emotional and psychological support may be beneficial due to the distressing nature of the experience.
Molar pregnancies underscore the importance of early prenatal care to monitor and address any complications that may arise during pregnancy.